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Lieu: ‘I Would Love to Be Able to Regulate the Content of Speech’ but First Amendment Stops Me
freebeacon.com ^ | December 12, 2018 2:09 pm | BY: David Rutz

Posted on 12/12/2018 2:14:40 PM PST by Red Badger

Rep. Ted Lieu (D., Calif.) said he would "love to be able to regulate the content of speech" during an interview Wednesday, noting he was prevented from doing that by the First Amendment.

Lieu got attention a day earlier when Google CEO Sundar Pichai testified at a House Judiciary Committee hearing, assailing conservative claims of the tech giant's bias against them by reading positive and negative stories about Republican Reps. Steve Scalise (La.) and Steve King (Iowa), the latter of whom has repeatedly courted controversy with racially charged remarks.

After CNN host Brianna Keilar praised Lieu for the "clever" stunt, she wondered if Democrats should have used more of their time to question the Google leader about how it and other tech companies can work to prevent the spread of conspiracy theories and other online trolling.

"It's a very good point you make," Lieu said. "I would love if I could have more than five minutes to question witnesses. Unfortunately, I don't get that opportunity. However, I would love to be able to regulate the content of speech. The First Amendment prevents me from doing so, and that's simply a function of the First Amendment, but I think over the long run, it's better the government does not regulate the content of speech."

He added he would urge private companies to regulate their platforms more themselves but repeated the government shouldn't play that role.

Lieu blasted the hearing as a waste of time perpetrated by Republicans and backed the right of corporations to free speech. He backs a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court decision Citizens United, however, which confirmed that right.

Lieu tweeted Tuesday he would like to regulate Fox News but said the fact that he couldn't was "a good thing in the long run."

I agree there are serious issues, but the speech issues are protected by the First Amendment. Would I like to regulate Fox News? Yes, but I can't because the First Amendment stops me. And that's ultimately a good thing in the long run.

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) December 11, 2018


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Government; US: California
KEYWORDS: 1stamendment; california; censorship; despotism; firstamendment; tedlieu; unamericanactivities; unconstitutional
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To: Red Badger

Scrieu Lieu.


41 posted on 12/12/2018 4:50:57 PM PST by beethovenfan (I always try to maximize my carbon footprint.)
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To: GOYAKLA

You said Chink lmao you racist


42 posted on 12/12/2018 5:01:03 PM PST by al baby (Hi Mom Hi Dad)
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To: Red Badger

The rope awaits.


43 posted on 12/12/2018 5:05:29 PM PST by The Toll
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To: Red Badger
Rep. Ted Lieu (D., Calif.) said he would "love to be able to regulate the content of speech" during an interview Wednesday, noting he was prevented from doing that by the First Amendment.

Thus proving that, inside every Democrat, there's a Communist screaming to get out.

44 posted on 12/12/2018 5:13:45 PM PST by Windflier (Pitchforks and torches ripen on the vine. Left too long, they become black rifles.)
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To: Red Badger

He is unfit to serve.


45 posted on 12/12/2018 5:19:27 PM PST by jimfree (My18 y/o granddaughter continues to have more quality exec experience than an 8 year Obama.)
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To: Red Badger

Democrat. Constitution protecting God-given rights is a major hindrance to their innate desires.

Ropes and lampposts, people. Onlyway we are going to save ourselves from these socialist totalitarians who know better than us and demand to micromanage every aspect of our lives, and are prepared to kill us with nukes if we oppose them.


46 posted on 12/12/2018 5:26:41 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not Averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: al baby

If I had use the word hole, would that have been sexist or homophobic? ;^}


47 posted on 12/12/2018 6:11:30 PM PST by GOYAKLA (Winning not whining!)
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To: Southside_Chicago_Republican

That only lasts as long as we have the means to fight back. Keep allowing incremental infringements on our 2nd amendment and the rest are up for grabs by the socialists. When they no longer fear us, we’re finished.


48 posted on 12/12/2018 9:22:23 PM PST by GreyHoundSailor
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To: Maskot

The definition is correct. Whether they are attacking the constitution, proclaiming the virtues of diversity, pretending to advocate for the poor, asserting the imagined rights of oppressed minorities or women, or gays, or transgenders, or illegal immigrants, they are the same people, promoting the same agenda, and furthering the same totalitarian objective. They believe nothing of what they say and are consumed by what they believe: the only moral imperative and universal constant is absolute power. “Dirtbags” dignifies and elevates them.


49 posted on 12/12/2018 9:33:18 PM PST by Spok
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To: Red Badger

He was born in Taiwan.

Time to make being a Natural Born Citizen a Requirement for anyone seeking any Federal Office.


50 posted on 12/12/2018 9:45:39 PM PST by Kickass Conservative (Democracy, two Wolves and one Sheep deciding what's for Dinner.)
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To: GreyHoundSailor

Exactly.


51 posted on 12/12/2018 9:54:37 PM PST by Southside_Chicago_Republican (The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.)
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To: Spok

That’s true. Leftists define hate speech is only possible against groups that support them.


52 posted on 12/12/2018 11:11:12 PM PST by Crucial
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To: Red Badger

This yahoo should be reprimanded by the House Ethics Committee.


53 posted on 12/12/2018 11:38:02 PM PST by jonrick46 (Cultural Marxism is the cult of the Left waiting for the Mothership.)
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To: Red Badger

Typical politician these days - the Constitution is an impediment to their desires....


54 posted on 12/13/2018 3:25:40 AM PST by trebb (Those who don't donate anything tend to be empty gasbags...no-value-added types)
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To: Red Badger

“...but First Amendment stops me’’. I wouldn’t worry too much about the First comrade. It’s the Second that a guy like you has to be concerned.


55 posted on 12/13/2018 4:23:15 AM PST by jmacusa (Made it Ma, top of the world!'')
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To: Red Badger
His constituents are either as Stalinist as he is, or, a special kind of stupid, for electing him.

There's really no other explanation.

56 posted on 12/13/2018 7:53:38 AM PST by simpson96
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To: simpson96

What do you expect when fools and idiots are allowed to vote?


57 posted on 12/13/2018 7:56:36 AM PST by sport
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To: simpson96

This POS is my congressPOS. Everything we vote for loses. It sucks here in commiefronia. :(


58 posted on 12/13/2018 8:02:48 AM PST by US_MilitaryRules (I'm not tired of Winning yet! Please, continue on!)
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To: Lizavetta

... and a totalitarian bleeds.


59 posted on 12/13/2018 8:10:45 AM PST by kanawa (Trump Loves a Great Deal)
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To: Red Badger

Democrats want to destroy the country and reshape so their grip on power is solid.


60 posted on 12/13/2018 11:52:37 AM PST by Crucial
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